Restaurants

If you only have a few nights in the city, these are the heavy hitters that define Antalya’s gastronomic identity.

The Vibe: Sophisticated, sprawling, and historic. Set on a verdant hilltop in Atatürk Culture Park with panoramic views over Konyaaltı Beach.

Why it’s unmissable: 7 Mehmet is arguably one of the most famous restaurants in all of Turkey.

Now run by third-generation chef Mehmet Akdağ, it flawlessly bridges traditional Turkish cooking with creative Mediterranean flair.

What to order: The menu changes seasonally based on local farming, but their Sevdai rice (cooked with bergamot, pine nuts, and liver), the slow-roasted kid goat (oğlak), and any of their wild herb mezes are legendary.

Seraser Fine Dining Restaurant

The Vibe: Ultra-romantic and historic. Located inside a beautifully restored 300-year-old Ottoman mansion in Kaleiçi (the Old Town).

Why it’s unmissable: If you want a candlelit courtyard dinner surrounded by stone walls, statues, and live piano music, this is it. It seamlessly blends international techniques with traditional Turkish motifs.

What to order: The homemade pastas, slow-cooked beef ribs, or their signature seafood dishes paired with an excellent selection of local Turkish wines.

Chayote Chef Restaurant

The Vibe: High-end, smart-casual beachside luxury.

Why it’s unmissable: Tucked away in Lara, Chef Tuncay Gülcü takes hyperlocal ingredients and elevates them into stunning modern culinary art.

It's one of the few places dedicated entirely to rethinking traditional regional flavours.

What to order: The Keşkek (a traditional creamed barley risotto-style dish served with oven-roasted kid goat and rich paprika butter) and their unique twist on kokoreç served with sumac jelly.

You cannot visit the Turkish Riviera without dedicating at least one evening to a traditional fish feast.

The Vibe: Breezy, upscale coastal dining with outdoor terraces right on the water.

Why it’s unmissable: A premier seafood establishment known for impeccable freshness and a massive cold meze counter.

What to order: Start with the avocado and artichoke meze, then move to grilled sea bass (levrek), fried calamari (kalamar tava), or giant prawns cooked in garlic butter.

The Vibe: High-energy, authentic, and musical. Located right in the heart of the Old Town.

Why it’s unmissable: It’s a classic meyhane (traditional tavern). Come here for a long evening of sharing small plates, drinking rakı (anise-flavored spirit), and listening to live acoustic Turkish music.

To experience how locals actually eat every day, skip the resort buffets and seek out these deeply authentic, affordable neighborhood institutions.

Restaurant Specialty What Makes it Special

Sıralı Kebap Modernized Kebabs Famous for taking traditional charcoal-grilled meats and presenting them with theatrical, mouth-watering modern twists. Try their şiş köfte.

Can Can Pide Pide (Turkish Pizza) A no-frills, incredibly budget-friendly local favorite in the city center. Their wood-fired pide is widely considered the crispiest and best in Antalya.

Arzum Döner Yaprak Döner Serving Antalya since 1984. They specialize in high-quality, 100% pure meat döner (no minced meat filler). Order it as an İskender—topped with hot tomato sauce and melted butter.

Şişçi Ramazan Meat Skewers & Piyaz A legendary local spot to experience the ultimate Antalya food pairing: charcoal-grilled meat skewers served right alongside a heavy plate of bean salad.

Antalya has a few unique culinary staples that you won't find made the same way anywhere else in Turkey. Keep an eye out for these specific dishes:

Antalya Piyazı (Tahini Bean Salad): While piyaz (a white bean, tomato, and onion salad) exists all over Turkey, Antalya completely transforms it by drowning it in a rich, creamy, garlic-and-lemon tahini dressing topped with hard-boiled eggs.

Börekçi Tevfik: Located near Hadrian’s Gate, this tiny shop has been making Serpme Börek since the 1940s. Watch the master hand-stretch dough until it is paper-thin, layer it with minced meat or cheese, and bake it into a flaky pastry. Go early; they regularly sell out before noon.

Akdeniz Dondurma: Famous for Yanık Dondurma (Burnt Ice Cream).

Made from the rich milk of highland goats, the milk is intentionally scorched during the boiling process. It creates a highly distinct, intensely smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet Turkish desserts.

Beyond the Bucketlist

Meşhur 18’in Bağaçaları: A historic bakery in the old center famous for Bağaça, a dense, spiced, bread-like cookie made with tahini, cinnamon, sugar, and mastic gum that is entirely unique to Antalya.